Founder of the Hermits of Saint Jerome. He was born at Pisa in 1355, whilst his father, Peter Gambacorta enjoyed the sovereign authority in that commonwealth. Being twenty-five years old, he privately left his father’s court, disguised in the habit of a poor penitent, and retired to Montebello, an agreeable solitude in Umbria. He begged his subsistence in the neighbouring village, and, in 1380, found means to build a church, and twelve cells for so many companions who had joined him. He chose Saint Jerom for the patron of his congregation, because that father having visited the hermitages of all Egypt and Syria, selected out of each what seemed to him the most perfect in every exercise. Peter prescribed to his monks four Lents in the year, and to fast on all Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; to continue in prayer two hours after Matins, at night, etc. As to himself, his whole time was devoted to the exercises of prayer, and his life was most austere. F. Sajanello relates many miracles performed by him, and gives an edifying account of his eminent virtues. His congregation was approved by Martin V in 1421. His father and two brothers being assassinated by their secretary in 1393, he was tempted to leave his desert to do justice to his family and country: but by redoubling his fervour in his holy exercises, he overcame that suggestion of the devil. He died in 1435, being eighty years old: was styled blessed by Pius V and Clement VIII, and a solemn decree of his beatification was published by Innocent XII in 1693. His congregation is much spread in Italy. The Order of Saint Jerome of Fiesoli instituted by Venerable Charles of Montegraneli, a noble Florentin, was united to it by Clement IX in 1668. There are also hermits of Saint Jerom in Spain, of a like institute. They follow the rule of the hermits of Saint Austin; but adopt certain constitutions gathered from the works of Saint Jerom.